”Four or five” police to be promoted after Ecleo arrest: Gamboa

July 30, 2020

The chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday said around four or five police personnel will be promoted after the arrest of former lawmaker and cult leader Ruben Ecleo Jr.

In a press briefing, Police General Archie Gamboa said Ecleo was arrested in San Fernando City  around 4am.

“Maybe after finalizing the reports, more or less four to five personnel from the PNP will be meritoriously promoted because of this apprehension,” Gamboa said.

Gamboa added that expenses of the operating unit will  be refunded by the PNP.

“Now, let us remember that Ecleo is already a convicted felon so he is not anymore a suspect in relation to the case of parricide because he dropped bail… he does not anymore enjoy the presumption of innocence,” the PNP chief said.

Gamboa said the P2 million reward will be given to the agent who caused the arrest of Ecleo.

He said planning for the arrest of Ecleo was not easy and he thinks  it started when National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Major General Debold Sinas was regional director of Central Visayas.

“It’s not an easy thing to track a fugitive who is in hiding for 14 years,” Gamboa said.

According to Sinas, they will also find out if Ecleo is also involved in the death of the family of his wife.

Sinas said Ecleo was arrested in the vicinity of a golf course in San Fernando City after intelligence officers confirmed that he plays there.

Sinas said they were thankful that no encounter transpired when Ecleo was arrested.

“In all the raids (done) in Mr. Ecleo’s place, it is always bloody because we believe some of their neighbors were also his followers…  He surrendered peacefully and without resistance,” he said.

Ecleo, in another interview with reporters, reiterated that he is not involved in the death of his wife and her family.

“I didn't do it but since they accused me I will just admit it… but I did not (kill) the whole family… I did not (order them to be killed),” he said.

Ecleo said he did not know who committed the crime.

Sinas said they have yet to contact the judges handling Ecleo’s case to determine where he will be detained. Ella Dionisio/DMS